A practical method is presented for determining both the viscous and elastic properties of polymer melts over the range of shear rates which is of practical interest to various polymer operations. The method involves measurement of wall normal stress distribution along a die. The basic concept of die design （capillary/slit/annular die） is discussed, and a summary of the experimental results obtained during the past several years is presented for homopolymers, polymer blends, copolymers, and filled polymers of industrial use in various polymer operations. A new revised theory of Han is used to correctly predict the first and second normal stress difference from exit pressure measurements.